Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Wales

The Met Office has issued a thunderstorm warning for much of Wales, marking an abrupt end to the recent period of settled weather. According to the forecasting agency, Friday will bring “frequent lightning, gusty winds, and potentially some large hail,” with brief spells of heavy rain also anticipated. The yellow weather warning is in effect from noon until 8 PM on Friday.

Early on Friday, a few thundery showers may appear across southern and southeast England. However, they are expected to develop more widely within the designated warning area from midday onwards. While some regions may remain dry, areas experiencing thundery showers are likely to endure frequent lightning and gusty winds, with a possibility of large hail.

The warning further specifies that rainfall amounts could reach 15 to 25 mm within an hour, with a slim chance of 30 to 40 mm falling over three hours. However, the showers are expected to ease and dissipate by Friday evening.

The areas affected by the weather warning include: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Prior to the onset of the storms, Thursday is forecasted to be warm and sunny after a cloudy and murky start. The weather forecast for Wales suggests that the cloud will lift by the afternoon, allowing for warm sunny spells, despite the breezy conditions around hilly areas. The maximum temperature is expected to reach 21°C.

As Friday approaches, another cloudy start is anticipated, with sunny spells developing. However, there is a risk of scattered showers later in the day, which may become heavy and thundery. The Met Office outlook for Wales from Saturday to Monday predicts mostly unsettled weather, with heavy, potentially thundery showers interspersed with longer spells of rain and sunnier intervals. The overall feeling will be warm and humid.